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Friday, September 2, 2011

I first came to know about Sanfong Bonsai Nursery, the Bonsai N Stone Academy and the Bonsai Clubs International (BCI) at Putrajaya Floria 2010 where they put up a good show with an impressive display of bonsai trees and a series of lectures about growing bonsai. Due to time constraints, I didn't get to attend their talks and bonsai training sessions during the floral festival but I was captivated by the very elegant, lovely and well trimmed bonsai trees, each properly labelled with owner name and plant ID. However, I had the chance to marvel at the splendid masterpieces created and got a glimpse into this unique lifetime hobby. You can read about if from my blog post here.

That unforgetable experience at Floria 2010 had prompted me to visit the Sanfong Bonsai and Art Garden nursery in Semenyih which meant more than an hour's drive all the way there with traffic jams and all. But the trip was well worth it. Actually we were not familiar with the town and hence missed the nursery during the first attempt. Luckily the owner was very helpful and gave us clear road instructions. It may be advisable to call them first before making the trip in case they are closed during certain holidays.

They have a lot of choices in terms of plant varieties, types, size, structure and shapes. Many people think that bonsai is a Chinese-dominated hobby or a luxury of the rich and wealthy. Here, you can find potted miniature bonsai from as low as RM 18 to giant trees costing tens of thousands.

Actually bonsai growing is a healthy pastime for people from all races and backgrounds.

Bonsai beginners, experts and enthusiasts come here to source for plants. Gardeners, landscape consultants, interior decorators and home owners also come here to look for plants to enhance their Oriental/Zen/Japanese/Water/Rock gardens.

It takes time and patience to nurture a bonsai. It is an added advantage to develop an interest in art and horticulture. First you need source for ready bonsai trees or stumps. Then you can develop or train the plants into bonsai with the necessary tools and equipment. You can also start a bonsai tree from seeds. Bonsai trees are trained to survive in a small pot, hence it does not need a big space to take up this hobby. You can keep a bonsai in home/office apartments and condominiums as long as there is enough sunlight. Generally it takes more than 10 years for a bonsai to be fully matured.

They have bonsai pots, accessories, decorative ornaments and support equipment sourced from China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan. You can also buy bonsai potting mix and fertilizer. Other services include training, care and maintenance of bonsai.